Got vertigo? Go hug yourself!

[TSandM]

Well, if you think about it, the largest proportional pressure changes are in the shallowest water!

[Quero]

Somebody earlier said they got vertigo from a reverse squeeze. Would this be possible to get in an 8ft pool? I have pretty bad congestion due to allergies. During my OW class, I was kneeling on the bottom of the pool (head was probably around 5ft max), we did our ascent skills and when I got to the surface I had extreme tunnel vision and dizziness. It lasted about 5 seconds (seemed like forever though). On later (slower) ascents, I could hear my ears equalizing. At the time I figured it was a minor reverse squeeze due to swollen nasal passages, but in less than 8 ft of water?

Yes, absolutely, this is possible, and given what you describe, you're probably right about what happened. You will want to develop some strategy for dealing with this--different people have different preferences. I also have allergic congestion, and I use long-acting decongestants on every dive day to facilitate equalization (and even on non-diving days like today when I wake up congested).

[craracer]

I've only had vertigo as a teen. Lets just say that Jose Cuervo and I got in a fight....and I lost.

So, I can only imagine how incredibly bad that must feel while diving. Add to that the potential for in-retractable vomiting and then you might be in a serious world of trouble.

[LostWithNoWater]

I don't know about vertigo, but if you can't hug yourself you can't very well expect anyone else to...

Ha ha ha. Confidence is key!

[mike_dippert]

Yes, absolutely, this is possible, and given what you describe, you're probably right about what happened. You will want to develop some strategy for dealing with this--different people have different preferences. I also have allergic congestion, and I use long-acting decongestants on every dive day to facilitate equalization (and even on non-diving days like today when I wake up congested).

I have an doc appointment for next Friday. I'm going to get an RX for Flonase (sp?). I'm not sure, but I think it's some kind of steroid. It takes about a week of prescribed use to build up and have a noticeable effect for me. After that, just 2 squirts each nostril in the morning and you're good to go.

My fiance and I are doing our checkout dives in Coz next month. I'd hate to get vertigo every dive.

[Splitlip]

I've experienced vertigo a couple of times on dives. Only on ascent while wearing a hood. I had a couple of theories, but wondering if you guys have any thoughts.

I called a dive last Sunday because I experienced vertigo while loading my gear on the boat.

Talked to my Doc and he attributed it to a few things....not the least of which were my Friday and Saturday recreational activities.

As for hugging yourself. I read an artical about 10 or 12 years ago in I believe the old Petersen mag that if a diver is feeling anxiety or detecting the onset of panic, he and his buddy should hug each other. If diving solo, the artical stated the diver should hug himself.

---------- Post added ----------

Ya know, it just occurred to me that in the tv version of the film Good Fellas or Casino, Joe Pesci says "Go hug your mother".